Work begins on Saltcoats sheltered housing project

CONSTRUCTION work is to start on a new £6.48 million sheltered housing project in Saltcoats, North Ayrshire which will help elderly residents live independently in their own homes.

The development is the first sheltered housing scheme to be delivered by hub South West and will comprise 36 new one and two-bedroom flats on the site of the former Canal Court complex.

The site will feature a social services hub. All the homes are wheelchair accessible and the development includes communal areas including a lounge, dining room and private courtyard.

Provost Ian Clarkson and Councillor Jim Montgomerie, Cabinet Member for Place at North Ayrshire Council, recently took part in a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of the construction process.

Michael McBrearty, chief executive of hub South West said, “This is the first sheltered housing project to be delivered by hub South West Scotland, and while we have never taken on a housing project before, we have always ensured we have a diverse and robust supply chain that can deliver any project we are awarded.”

Local business Ashleigh Building is the contractor on the project, which is due to be handed over to North Ayrshire Council in July next year.

Euan Clark, commercial director of Ashleigh Building added, “We are delighted to be involved in the construction of the new build sheltered accommodation development at Canal Court, Saltcoats for North Ayrshire Council.

“As an Ayrshire based tier-1 contractor with hub South West, this contract award allows us to continue our established local employment and apprenticeship programmes, and also provide further supply chain opportunities within the region. We have delivered a series of similar projects for North Ayrshire Council and look forward to getting started on the Canal Court site.”